The Boston area is bracing for severe weather conditions today with the National Weather Service issuing a high wind warning effective from 3 PM this afternoon until 1 AM EST Thursday. Residents can expect south winds 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 60 mph. The advisory, which spans the entirety of Eastern Massachusetts and Rhode Island, warns of potential damages to trees and power lines, leading to power outages and challenging travel conditions, especially for high-profile vehicles, as noted on the National Weather Service website.
The storm system expected to pummel New England comes with more than just heavy winds. As reported by NBC Boston, the region is anticipating downpours and thunderstorms that could lead to street or urban flooding and power outages. Charging late in the day with wind speeds peaking near 100 mph at about 5,000 feet, and this could translate to damaging gusts in excess of 50 mph on the ground, which is not coincidental to coincide with the heaviest rain. The public is advised to keep electronics charged and flashlights within reach.
The rare onslaught of extreme weather for December includes not just the risk of damage and flooding but also unusual temperature highs for this period. Temperatures are expected to be unseasonably warm, possibly reaching up to 65 degrees in Boston. This near-record warmth signals the trend of climbing temperatures in the face of a changing climate, but it will be short-lived as temperatures are forecasted to drop nearly 30 degrees overnight. "We're expecting more showers to arrive early next week," as per NBC Boston, indicating a brief respite before the next weather system moves in.
Following today's stormy conditions, the weather is expected to stabilize toward the weekend. According to the detailed forecast published by the National Weather Service, Boston should see mostly sunny and clear skies starting tomorrow through Saturday, with highs ranging from 32 to 41 degrees before a new chance of rain develops Sunday night into Monday. In anticipation of these conditions, residents are advised to remain on the lower levels of their homes during the windstorm, steer clear of windows, and exercise caution if travel is necessary.
